Affordable Care: Options for self-employed/ part-timer

I am currently self-employed and work a small part time job. My income is about $30,000 per year. I am covered as a domestic partner insurance and need to find insurance on my own. How will Obamacare help me find affordable insurance?

Squeaking By

Dear Squeaking By,

There is nothing in health reform that would affect your coverage as a domestic partner, though your partner’s employer may be making changes for other reasons. First, I would make sure that your current plan is going away before leaping to conclusions.

At $30,000 a year, you are at about 250% of Federal Poverty for a single-person household. You will qualify for government help to buy a plan and to pay your deductible and co-pays. It’s possible that a plan from your state’s exchange will be cheaper than being covered as a domestic partner.

Starting October 1, you can go to healthcare.gov and find your state’s exchange. You will be able to look at your options and get an estimate of the subsidies you would get. You can then compare this to your current plan and decide what works best for you.